J.W. Lees - Harvest Ale 2002

Available filtered and pasteurized in 275ml dark glass bottles. Has appeared occasionally in cask.
This fully fermented strong ale has been brewed by J.W. Lees as a celebration of the brewers art since 1985. Harvest Ale can be enjoyed now or laid down like a vintage wine for enjoyment in years to come.

This blog is for the 2002 release which I enjoyed in January of 2012.  In 2010 and 2011 I had the 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2006 and 2007 all on different dates of course.  Sadly I have no blogs for the 1997, 1998 or 2001 vintages.

The ABV is 11.5 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - English Barleywine
Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip, Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 275ml Bottle

Should be cellared for long periods as this one was, under the proper conditions. Ah Men.

The Pour - Pours a cloudy brown color with a small tan head that hangs around for awhile. Some lacing and a clear coat on the glass.
Aroma - Room filled with dark fruit; plums, figs and raisins. Molasses maybe brown sugar.
Taste -  Liquid dark fruits, sweet, toffee, caramel. Liken to a nice port. 
Mouth Feel - No carbonation, big body, very smooth no burn from the alcohol.  Very well balanced.
Drinkable - Very sweet, compairs well with other aged JW Lees bottles I have had in the past.  Try to find a bottle at least 8 years old, preferably one from the 1990's.

This beer may pair well with cheese and desserts but just enjoy it without food.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A-.
BeerAdvocate Rating =95
Ratebeer Rating = 99

J.W. Lees - Harvest Ale [Calvados Cask] 2006

Matured in wooden Etienne Dupont Calvados casks from the end of October until mid March.
This fully fermented ale has been brewed by JW Lees as a celebration of the brewers' art. Harvest Ale can be enjoyed now or laid down like a fine wine for enjoyment to come.
This blog is for the 2006 Calvados Cask release.  In 2010 and 2011 I had the 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2006 and 2007 all on different dates of course.  Sadly I have no blogs for the 1997, 1998 or 2001 vintages.

The ABV is 11.5 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - English Barleywine
Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip, Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 275ml Bottle

Should be cellared for long periods, under the proper conditions. Ah Men.

The Pour - Pours a copper color with no head. No lacing.
Aroma - Dark fruits (figs and cherries), a bit of peat and oak tannins.
Taste -  Sweet, dark fruits like plums and raisins. No peat funk or tannins that appeared in the nose.
Mouth Feel - No carbonation, medium body, very smooth no burn from the alcohol.
Drinkable - Surprised, not sure what to expect from this brew.  Does not compare to the regular 2006 vintage.  The casking had smoothed out this brew.  On the negative side it's really sweet, too sweet. It is a sipper.  

This beer may pair well with cheese and desserts but just enjoy it without food.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A.
BeerAdvocate Rating =A-
Ratebeer Rating = 98

J.W. Lees - Harvest Ale 2007

Available filtered and pasteurized in 275ml dark glass bottles. Has appeared occasionally in cask.
This fully fermented strong ale has been brewed by J.W. Lees as a celebration of the brewers art since 1985. Harvest Ale can be enjoyed now or laid down like a vintage wine for enjoyment in years to come.

This blog is for the 2007 release which I found at the Foodery.  In 2010 and 2011 I had the 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2006 all on different dates of course.  Sadly I have no blogs for the 1997, 1998 or 2001 vintages.

The 2007 is still a young ale and needs to age at least another 5 years.

The ABV is 11.5 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - English Barleywine
Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip, Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 275ml Bottle

Should be cellared for long periods, under the proper conditions.

The Pour - Pours a cloudy brown color with a small tan head. Little lacing and a clear coat on the glass.
Aroma - Malty, dark fruit, some dark chocolate.
Taste -  Dark fruits like plums and raisins. 
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation, full body, very smooth some burn from the alcohol.
Drinkable - Drinkable but needs to age, it's very young.  Given that it is a good brew, and a sipper.  

This beer pairs well with cheese and desserts but just enjoy it without food.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A-.
BeerAdvocate Rating =A
Ratebeer Rating = 99

J.W. Lees - Harvest Ale 2006

Available filtered and pasteurized in 275ml dark glass bottles. Has appeared occasionally in cask.
This fully fermented strong ale has been brewed by J.W. Lees as a celebration of the brewers art since 1985. Harvest Ale can be enjoyed now or laid down like a vintage wine for enjoyment in years to come.

This blog is for the 2006 release which I found at the Foodery.  In 2010 and 2011 I had the 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2007 all on different dates of course.  Sadly I have no blogs for the 1997, 1998 or 2001 vintages.

The 2006 is still a young ale, needs to age for another 5 years.

The ABV is 11.5 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - English Barleywine
Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip, Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 275ml Bottle

Should be cellared for long periods, under the proper conditions. Ah Men.

The Pour - Pours a cloudy brown color with no head. No lacing but a clear coat on the glass.
Aroma - Plums is the first thing noticed then a bit of chocolate and other dark fruit.
Taste -  Dark fruits like plums and raisins. Like a sherry or port.
Mouth Feel - No carbonation, very smooth no burn from the alcohol.
Drinkable - Very drinkable but still needs some time to age.  Given that it is a good brew, and a sipper.  

This beer may pair well with cheese and desserts but just enjoy it without food.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A.
BeerAdvocate Rating =A
Ratebeer Rating = 99

J.W. Lees - Harvest Ale 2000

Available filtered and pasteurized in 275ml dark glass bottles. Has appeared occasionally in cask.
This fully fermented strong ale has been brewed by J.W. Lees as a celebration of the brewers art since 1985. Harvest Ale can be enjoyed now or laid down like a vintage wine for enjoyment in years to come.

This blog is for the 2000 release which I enjoyed at the Memphis Taproom in the fall of 2010.  In 2010 and 2011 I had the 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2006 and 2007 all on different dates of course.  Sadly I have no blogs for the 1997, 1998 or 2001 vintages.

The ABV is 11.5 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - English Barleywine
Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip, Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 275ml Bottle

Should be cellared for long periods as this one was, under the proper conditions. Ah Men.

The Pour - Pours a cloudy brown color with no head. No lacing but a clear coat on the glass.
Aroma - Plums, figs and raisins are dominate at first then molasses maybe brown sugar.
Taste -  Dark fruits, toffee, caramel. Liken to a nice port. 
Mouth Feel - No carbonation, very smooth no burn from the alcohol.  Very well balanced.
Drinkable - This one is nearly identical to the 1999 I had a month ago.  Try to find a bottle at least 8 years old, preferably one from the 1990's.

This beer may pair well with cheese and desserts but just enjoy it without food.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A.
BeerAdvocate Rating =A
Ratebeer Rating = 99

J.W. Lees - Harvest Ale1999

Available filtered and pasteurized in 275ml dark glass bottles. Has appeared occasionally in cask.
This fully fermented strong ale has been brewed by J.W. Lees as a celebration of the brewers art since 1985. Harvest Ale can be enjoyed now or laid down like a vintage wine for enjoyment in years to come.

This blog is for the 1999 release which I enjoyed at the Memphis Taproom in the fall of 2010.  In 2010 and 2011 I had the 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2006 and 2007 all on different dates of course.  Sadly I have no blog for the 1997, 1998 or 2001 vintages.

The ABV is 11.5 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - English Barleywine
Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip, Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 275ml Bottle

Should be cellared for long periods as this one was, under the proper conditions. Ah Men.

The Pour - Pours a dark brown color with a tan head that dissipates. Some lacing and a clear coat on the glass.
Aroma - Plums, figs and raisins are dominate at first then molasses maybe brown sugar.
Taste -  Dark fruits, toffee, caramel. Liken to a nice port. After taste is all raisins.
Mouth Feel - Low carbonation and full body, very smooth no burn from the alcohol.  Very well balanced.
Drinkable - A most excellent brew!  Try to find a bottle at least 8 years old, preferably one from the 1990's.

This beer may pair well with cheese and desserts but just enjoy it without food.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A+.
BeerAdvocate Rating =A
Ratebeer Rating = 99